Session: State Capitol, Room 101 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-3879 Fax: (907) 465-2069 Subscribe to Newsletter District I & Transportation Committee Info Interim: 716 W 4th Avenue, Suite 530 Anchorage, AK 99501-2133 Phone: (907) 269-0222 Fax: (907) 269-0223

Sponsor Statement for SB 147
State Government Activities

An Act relating to nongovernmental activities of state departments; and providing for an effective date.

Senate Bill 147 is a mirror of the, "Federal Activity Inventory Reform Act." It passed congress in 1998 and then was singed into law by President Clinton.

SB 147 requires state agencies to annually list, which of their activities are "not inherently governmental." An inherently governmental function is defined as, "a function that is so closely related to the public interest that it requires performance by state governmental employees". Section 1 (c) of the bill contains several paragraphs of elaboration for this definition.

SB 147, first of all, requires each state agency to identify government activities that are not inherently governmental in nature. Secondly, it requires consideration of all realistic and fair costs of government agency performance, of these non-governmental activities.

Interested persons may challenge the inclusion or omission of an activity on a list. There are always challenges to the list, by employees, private industry, and unions. On the Federal level it has been evident that challenges and appeals work through the process and often the decision is reversed upon the gathering of new information.

SB 147 provides a long-term mechanism to start the process of reorganization of state government. In order to accomplish this, we need legislation that requires the executive branch to identify activities that are inherently non-governmental, and to associate a cost with them. This is the type of information that is a prerequisite to making intelligent decisions, about whether the government should be doing the work at all. Surely, it will generate debate about what is or is not inherently governmental, and how much cost is attached to these functions. These debates are a vital step in the reorganization process. SB 147 puts us on the right track toward government activities that we want and are willing to pay for.

SB 147 provides the basis for long term, consistent efforts toward cost effective government. Policymakers and citizens alike become more informed about the missions, budgets, and responsibilities of the services being provided by our government workers. This merely is the first step in making intelligent, informed decisions about government services.

# # #

Attachments:

• Print Friendly Version
  requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - 1 page(s) - 37 K

| Sen. Cowdery's Page |

| Top | Home | Site Search | Breaking News | Legislators | Bills |
| Committees | E-Newsletter | Surveys | Research | Help |

The Official Web Site of the House and Senate Legislative Majorities
for the 22nd Alaska State Legislature
To Report Technical Problems or Contact Webmasters